Numbers 31:20

Verse

And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And as to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood, ye shall purify yourselves.

Bible in Basic English

And every bit of clothing, and anything made of leather or goats' hair or wood, you are to make clean.

Free Bible Version

Also purify all your clothing garment and anything made of leather, goat's hair, or wood.”

King James (Authorized) Version

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.

One Unity Resource Bible

As to every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood, you shall purify yourselves.”

Translation for Translators

You must also wash your clothes and anything that you took to the battle that is made of leather or goat’s hair or wood.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

You must purify every garment and everything made of animal hide and goats' hair, and everything made of wood.”

Noah Webster Bible

And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair , and all things made of wood.

World English Bible

You shall purify every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.”

Young's Literal Translation

and every garment, and every skin vessel, and every work of goats' [hair], and every wooden vessel, ye yourselves cleanse.'

Context

Vengeance on Midian

¹⁹All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives.²⁰And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

Summary

In this verse, after the Israelites had defeated the Midianites, Moses instructed them on how to purify themselves and their belongings. The purification process involved washing clothes and anything made of animal skins, as well as purifying items made of wood, to remove any trace of sin or impurity. This act of purification was essential for the Israelites to remain holy and set apart for God's purposes, emphasizing the importance of spiritual cleanliness and consecration before the Lord.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead. These are excepted, and, though unclean, are not to be purified by washing, but in another way, by fire, as follows; all these metals were well known in those early times, and were made use of for instruments and vessels of various sorts. Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead. These are excepted, and, though unclean, are not to be purified by washing, but in another way, by fire, as follows; all these metals were well known in those early times, and were made use of for instruments and vessels of various sorts. Numbers 31:23 num 31:23 num 31:23 num 31:23Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire,.... Either through the smoke of the fire, and so be purified by suffumigation; or be put into the fire itself, where though they might be melted as the above things, yet not consumed as raiment, and vessels of skins, goats' hair, and wood, would be: and it shall be clean; accounted so: nevertheless, it shall be purified with the water of separation; with the water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer burnt, and sprinkled on it; see Num 19:9. and all that abideth not the fire; without being consumed, as whatsoever is of wood, &c. ye shall make go through the water; dip them in it, and rinse them there with a quantity sufficient; which the Targum of Jonathan says is forty seahs of water.